Redskins sign free agent Atogwe to five-year deal

Oshiomogho Atogwe has found his next team that he will play for in his career. O.J. has signed with the Washington Redskins.

He has received a five-year deal to join his new team. He will be paid $26 million over the lifetime of the deal.

Oshiomogho Atogwe is seen here as a member of the St. Louis Rams intercepting a San Francisco 49ers pass (Getty Images)

In Washington, he is reunited with Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslet, who was previously with him during his best Rams seasons. The move also makes the Rams thin at the safety position, but they will have the rest of free agency and the draft to address those needs.

Rams general manager Bill Devaney has previously said that St. Louis will address their safety concerns in the draft, or attempt to.

Atogwe signs with the Redskins before the start of free agency. He was one of just a few players, who were released after the Super Bowl, who was able to sign with teams early.

Atogwe will play free safety for the Skins. LaRon Landry will move to strong safety.

Atogwe spent six seasons with the Rams. There, he appeared in 88 games, including 75 starts. He had 339 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 22 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, 16 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries, and 42 pass deflections.

Atogwe was due to receive an $8 million roster bonus on Feb. 21st. Instead of accepting that, the Rams elected to decline to pay him that, because he will be 30-years-old on June 23.

He would have had a $3.5 million base salary for this season. It would have been guaranteed on the 60th day of the new league-year, which will begin on March 4th, due to skill or injury.

He is expected to start in place of Kareem Moore, who started 11 games for the Redskins last season.